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Women in high-stress professions are 40 percent more likely to develop a heart condition than those who are not, according to research.

More than 17,000 women participated in The Women’s Health Study, funded by the National Institute of Health. The 3,529 women who reported having a high-strain job, defined by the study as a demanding job that is fast-paced and provides almost no opportunity for personal growth, had a 90 percent increased risk of developing an acute myocardial infarction, and a 40 percent increase of cardiovascular disease.

The study also found that women who reported having an active job strain, or a demanding profession that provides high levels of control, had a 60 percent increase in total cardiovascular events than women with low stress jobs.

While 19 percent of women in the study said they were concerned about future job prospects, researchers did not find a connection between job insecurity and heart disease.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the country. The Mayo Clinic recommends preventative measures like eating well, exercising and avoiding tobacco products that can not only lower life insurance premiums, but also improve cardiovascular health and decrease the risk of disease.